Morning Minutes files, Jan. 3-9

Yips YIPS (noun) A state of nervous tension affecting an athlete (as a golfer) in the performance of a crucial action - www.merriam-webster.com

Website of the Day

J.R.R. Tolkien
www.tolkienestate.com

To celebrate the birthday of author J.R.R. Tolkien (he was born Jan. 3, 1892), head to this official website of the estate of Tolkien. At last check, the site was undergoing a renovation, but it still has lots of information about the author and his works. Any fan of Middle-earth will find much to please them.

“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Morning Minutes: Jan. 4

Word of the Day

Vociferous voh-SIF-uh-rus (adjective) Marked by or given to vehement insistent outcry - www.merriam-webster.com

Website of the Day

Louis Braille
www.afb.org/louisbraillemuseum

Today is the birthday of Louis Braille (he was born Jan. 4, 1809), the inventor of the reading system for the blind. This site has information on Louis, as well as the history of the Braille alphabet. There also are resources and much more.

Number to Know

3: Age at which Louis Braille went blind; it happened because of an accident.

This Day in History

Jan. 4, 2007: The 110th United States Congress convenes, electing Nancy Pelosi as the first female Speaker of the House in U.S. history.

Today’s Featured Birthday

R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe (51)

Daily Quote

“There is a wonder in reading Braille that the sighted will never know: to touch words and have them touch you back.” - Jim Fiebig

Morning Minutes: Jan. 5

Word of the Day

Corrode kuh-ROHD (verb) To eat away by degrees as if by gnawing; especially, to wear away gradually, usually by chemical action; to weaken or destroy gradually; undermine; to undergo corrosion - www.merriam-webster.com

Website of the Day

National Bird Day
www.nationalbirdday.com

Today is National Bird Day, and this website will let you know all about birds and what you can do to help our feathered friends. Local birding events might be listed on this site as well, so check it out.

Number to Know

20: Percent of Americans who are birdwatchers, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

This Day in History

Jan. 5, 1914: Ford Motor Company announces an eight-hour workday and a minimum wage of $5 for a day's labor.

Today’s Featured Birthday

Actress Diane Keaton (65)

Daily Quote

“Birds are a miracle because they prove to us there is a finer, simpler state of being which we may strive to attain.” - Doug Coupland

Morning Minutes: Jan. 6

Word of the Day

Ear candy EER-KAN-dee (noun) Music that is pleasing to listen to but lacks depth - www.merriam-webster.com

Website of the Day

Carl Sandburg
www.carlsandburg.net

Today is the birthday of poet Carl Sandburg (he was born Jan. 6, 1878), so head to this site to learn all about the man and his work. The site also has information on historic Sandburg sites, including the Carl Sandburg State Historic Site in Galesburg, Ill., his hometown and final resting place.

Number to Know

12: Today is the twelfth day of Christmas, the end of the celebration.

This Day in History

Jan. 6, 1994: Nancy Kerrigan is hit on the knee at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit.

Today’s Featured Birthday

Actor/comedian Rowan Atkinson (56)

Daily Quote

“Anger is the most impotent of passions. It effects nothing it goes about, and hurts the one who is possessed by it more than the one against whom it is directed.” - Carl Sandburg

President Millard Fillmore was born on this date in 1800, and outside of history buffs, most people don’t know much about this leader. Check out this White House site on Fillmore to learn about his life and legacy.

Number to Know

13: Number president that Millard Fillmore was. He served from 1850-1853.

“It is not strange ... to mistake change for progress.” - Millard Fillmore

Morning Minutes: Jan. 8

Word of the Day

Rectrix REK-triks (noun) Any of the quill feathers of a bird's tail that are important in controlling flight direction - www.merriam-webster.com

Website of the Day

Movieclips
http://movieclips.com

Do you love movies? Then you’ve got to head to this website, which made Time’s “best of 2010” list. The site lets you search for and watch specific clips in movies, and the best part about the site is that you can create you own mashups.

Number to Know

1,420 feet: The record distance in the Great Fruitcake Toss, which takes place the first Saturday of January in Manitou Springs, Colo.

This Day in History

Jan. 8, 2002: President George W. Bush signs into law the No Child Left Behind Act.

Today’s Featured Birthday

Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking (69)

Daily Quote

“I think computer viruses should count as life. I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive. We've created life in our own image.” - Stephen Hawking

Want to learn more about President Richard Nixon? Head to the official website of his presidential library and learn all about his career, including Watergate. There also is information for those wishing to visit the actual museum in Yorba Linda, Calif.

Number to Know

1913: Year on this date when Richard Milhous Nixon was born.

This Day in History

Jan. 9, 1951: The United Nations headquarters officially opens in New York City.

Today’s Featured Birthday

Kate Middleton, fiancée of Prince William (29)

Daily Quote

“Any change is resisted because bureaucrats have a vested interest in the chaos in which they exist.” - Richard M. Nixon

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